27 



with its great market is easily reached, and if co-operation and increased planting 

 were encouraged, a very extensive trade would no doubt result. 



Late Charles Gibb. 



At Abbotsford some historic orchards are to be found. The first seedling 

 orchards came into bearing here in 1812 — just 100 years ago — and the first 

 grafted trees were planted in 1810. Here is to be found Gibbland Farm, for 

 many years the home of the late Charles Gibb, who was prominent in connection 

 with the early days of Horticulture in Quebec. This farm at one time contained 

 the best collection of hardy fruit trees and ornamental shrubs in Canada. Mr. 

 Gibb made two trips to Russia in company with Prof. J. L. Budd of Iowa to 

 secure and introduce into Canada hardy trees and fruits which might prove 

 useful and valuable in Northern latitudes. His various publications on Hor- 

 ticultural subjects are standard works of recognized value. While the older 

 orchards show the effects of winter injury and are declining, a number of orchards 

 have been planted within recent years, notably by such men as Messrs. John 

 and Chas. Fisk, Chas. Byers and others, who are active in Horticulture at the 

 present time in this section. 



A number of very fine pear orchards have been seriously injured in this 

 vicinity, and in some cases almost destroyed, by pear blight, which has obtained 

 a serious foothold. So far it has been found impossible to eradicate this disease, 

 although the usual custom of cutting out the affected branches has been followed 

 up with some care. 



A Government demonstration orchard has been established here on the 

 farm of Mr. Marshall, and much interest is being taken in the results obtained. 



The Fameuse. 



This section of the Province of Quebec has been noted for many years for 

 the production of large quantities of dessert apples, which reach perfection 

 over a considerable area. This would apply more particularly to the Fameuse, 

 a very valuable apple of Canadian origin which has found a congenial home in 

 many parts of the Province. 



Montreal or Quebec Fameuse have become very popular on account of the 

 beautiful appearance and high quality of the fruit. Many thousands of barrels 

 have been sold in the American markets and exported to foreign lands. 



Orchards are Declining. 



It is greatly to be regretted, however, that there is grave danger of this dis- 

 tinction being lost unless the horticulturists of the Province awake to the gravity 

 of the situation and seek to maintain their prestige. Many of the fine Fameuse 

 orchards, if not already dead, are rapidly passing away and no concerted effort 

 is being made to renew them. Many causes, some of them uncontrollable, but 

 others arising from carelessness and neglect, have contributed to this condition. 

 Public attention should be called to the fact that the production of apples is not 

 increasing in the Province of Quebec to the extent it should, but on the other 

 hand it is feared that the next few years will see a serious decrease unless steps 

 are taken at once to remedy this situation. If hundreds of acres of new orchards 

 of the fine dessert varieties were annually planted in this Province, a ready 

 market would be found at high prices for all the fruit that could possibly be 

 produced, the value of the farms upon which the orchards were located would be 

 vastly increased, and a supply of fancy fruit would be forthcoming which is at 

 the present time greatly needed. 



